Apparatus for knitting float patterns



'July 25,1950 'SAHADDAD 2,516,697

APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FLOAT PATTERNS Filed March 8,' 1949 ;11 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Saw/via #400 40.

INVENTOR.

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INVENTOR.

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PATTERNS July 25, 1950 umvj v y S. J. HADDAD APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FLOAT f V 9 V 9 9 v B d 5, 1950 5. J. HADDAD 2,516,697 APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FLOAT PATTERNS Filed larch 8, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet ll j '2 9 SANA/Jo J. #40040,

INVEN TOR.

Patented July 25, 1950 orrica APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FLOAT PATTERNS Salomio J. Haddad, Shrewsbury, Mas... asoignor to Chester H. Roth Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,273 18 Claims. (CI. 66-50).

This invention relates to improvements in circular knitting machines and more especially to circular knitting machines for making patterns in fabrics by introducing yarns of two or more different colors at points immediatel adjacent each other to the needle circle whereby these yarns may be introduced to the needle circle separately or together according to the desired pattern.

The introduction of knitting yarns in the manner heretofore stated is particularly important in the forming of the so-called Argyle diamond, type of pattern in which vertical rows of diamonds of different colors are arranged adjacent each other. By way of description, each of the yarn feed fingers introduces a difierent -color which may be referred to as maroon and gray. The maroon and gray yarns are fed simultaneously to the needle circle to form a pattern in which one yarn is knitted on selected needles while the other yarn is floated behind the needles and whereby one section of the fabric will be knitted from one yarn while the other yarn is floated behind the needles and then the other yarn will be knitted by a, plurality of needles .to form another section of fabric while the first yarn is floated behind the second set of needles, in any given course, independently of each other except at the junctures of the two sections where both yarns are knitted in the same needles for a few needles to tie the adjacent sections together, this being necessary due to the fact that while one of the yarns is being knitted into the fabric, the other yarn is floated on the inner side of the needles and these floated yarns are cut away after the fabric is knitted. It will be obvious from the apparatus to be herein described that many types of patterns may be formed by the use of this apparatus, these patterns including squares or plaids, vertical stripes, chevrons, angles, diamonds, diagonals, etc.

Yarn feed fingers can be provided for as many difierently colored yarns as desired so that two yarns of different colors may be introduced for a plurality of courses, and then a new combination of two colors can be fed to the needles. These combinations can be changed throughout the knitting of the stocking.

This invention is not limited to but is shown in association with the type of machine commonly known as Scott and Williams Model H Spiral circular knitting machine employing main cylinder jacks, auxiliary jacks and needles similar to those shown-in the patent to Marshall et al. No. 2,040,946 of May 19, 1936.

It is another object of this invention to provide main cylinder jacks similar to those described with two stepped notches adjacent their lower ends and to further provide selective means for cylinder. When positioning the lower portions of selected main jacks in any one of three diiferent positions inwardly and outwardly with respect to the needle the lower portions of these certain selected jacks are in an intermediate position, the uppermost of said notches will be engaged by and will cause the jacks to be elevated in riding over a first and a second cam to present the corresponding needle at such an elevation'as to pick up the yarn from the first or the yarn feed fingers, there being other cam means to lower the needle so as to pass adjacent the second of the yarn feed fingers but in so doingwill not pick up the yarn from thesecond yarn feed finger.

- When the lower end of others of the certain selected jacks are in an innermost position; that is, with the lower portion of the jack against the needle cylinder, the jack will then miss the first of the said cams but will be caused to be elevated by the second of said cams and, in so doinm will cause the corresponding needle to pass adjacent the'first feed finger but will not pick up the yarn from the first feed finger, after which the needle will be elevated topick up the yarn from the second feed finger.

When the lower portions of still others of the certain selected jacks are in their outermost positions, the lowermost of said notches in the lower portions of the Jacks will engage the first and second cams successively and will be elevatedto the highest position as the corresponding needles pass adjacent the first and second feed fingers and in so doing the corresponding needles will pick up the yarns from both the first and second yarn feed fingers to thus knit both yarns into the fabric simultaneously.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for varying the number of steps the trick wheel or selector drum moves to'complete a revolution as well as to provide means for varying the length of these steps during each revolution to thereby provide means for knitting any desired number of courses proportionate to a given number of wales in forming a single pattern.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a circular knitting machine means for feeding simultaneously two yarns of diiTerent colors during continuous rotation of the needle cylinder and knitting one of the yarnson a plurality of adjacent needles while floating the other yarn behind the needles, then causing both yarns to be knitted by one or more needles, and then causing the other yarn to be knitted on a plurality of adjacent needles while said one yarn is floated behind the second section of needles, together with pattern means for varying the number of needles taking the respective yarns from course to course.

Some of the objects of the invention having the invention and showing parts applied thereto;

- 3 been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation or a portion of at Scott and Williams circular knitting machine and showing only those parts which are pertinent to or the invention taken at a point closely adjacent the ratchet wheel and at a lower point than that shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation with parts in section and being taken substantially along the line H in Figure 1 and showing the cam means for rendering the means which transmits rotation to the selector drum inoperative during the knitting of the cuff, heel, foot, and toe portions of a stockin Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation with parts in section and being taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 1 showing the cam means for cam devices shown in Figure 8. Figures 12, 13 and 14 correspond to Figures 9, 10 and 11, respectively, and show the selector jacks and associated parts in a position they will have attained after having moved from the point in which Figures 9, 10 and 11 are taken to a point at which Figures 12, 13 and 14 are taken in Figure 8; s

Figure 15 is an elevation showing some of the needles of the needle cylinder as they are passing adjacent the ends of the yarn feed fingers wherein the needles passing adjacent the first feed finger are picking up the yarn from the same while the needles passing adjacent the second feed finger are not picking up the yarn from the second feed finger and immediately followingthe knitting oi the yarn from both of the feed fingers simultaneously;

Figure 16 is a viewsimilar to Figure15 and shows the needles having advanced to a slightly difierent position relative to the yarn feed fingers from that shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 but showing the needles as though the needle cylinder had rotated a partial revolution to where certain of the needles will pick up the yarn from the second of the feed fingers and will merely pass by the first of the feed fingers without picking up the yarn from the first of the feed fingers;

Figure 18 is a movi-i e. w r p fl f the cylinder Selector shows the needles as though the needle cylinder jacks outwardly after they have passed over the first cam and before being brought into engagement with the second cam at the needle cylinder during the knitting of the leg portion and the instep ortion of the hose;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation with parts in section, taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Figure 2 and showing the working ends of the selector fingers and the associated means for restrictlng their inward movement relative to the a needle cylinder;

Figure '7 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 1-1 in Figure 6 and showing the upper group of selector fingers in one position and showing the lower group of selector fingers in another position;

Figure 8 is a schematic development illustrating one arrangement of cam devices for operating the needle, needle or auxiliary jacks and selector jacks and looking at the inner sides of the circularly arranged cam devices relative to the needle cylinder;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the needle cylinder and is taken at a point substantially along the line 9-9 in Figure 8 relative to the cam devices and also showing one of the selector jacks and corresponding auxiliary or needle jacks and one or the corresponding needles and also showing the lower portion of the selector jacks in its innermost position;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 9 and is taken at the same point relative to the cam devices in Figure 81 as Figure 9 but showing the lower portion of the selector jack in an intermediate position;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 but being taken slightly to the right or in advance of the line 9-! relative to the cam devices shown in Figure 8 and showing the lower portion of one 01 the selecting lacks in its outermost position rela- 7o tive to the needle cylinder;

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are vertical sectional views through a portion of the needle cylinder similar to Figure 9 and all of theseviews are taken substantially along the line II-il relative to the ,5 ing the yarn feed fingers and associated parts adjacent the needles;

Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the butts on the selector bits associated with the selector drum for producing an Argyle diamond type of pattern such as that shown in Figure 23;

Figure 21 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of the butts on the selector jacks on the needle cylinder, this arrangement being incidental to produce a pattern such as that shown in Figure 23 in cooperation with the arrangement a of the butts on the selector bits shown in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the selector drum and is taken substantially along the line 2222 in Figure 20 showing one of the selector bits associated therewith;

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a stocking showing the Argyle diamond type of pattern which is one of many which may be produced with this apparatus;

Figure 24 is another diagrammatic side elevation illustrating another pattern which may be produced with this apparatus by merely changing the arrangements of the butts shown in Figures 20 and 21;

Figure 25 is a greatly enlarged elevation showing a portion of the fabric at the central portion' being taken substantially along the line "-2! view similar to Figure 17 but.

8 in Figure 8, showing how the lower portions of selector jacks in intermediate and outermost positions engage the cam ll;

Figure-29 is an enlarged schematic sectional plan view being taken along the line 29-29 in Figure 23 and showing the floated yarns inside the stocking, the knitted yarns being represented symbolicallv.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the knitting machine enerally comprises a main base or frame III which supports an upstanding housing II and a vertically disposed sock horn l2, there being conventional gearing, not shown, disposed within the housing II to which motion is imparted through pulleys l3 which are suitably driven by means not shown. The conventional gearing disposed within the housing II is clearly shown in the patent to A. E. Page, Number 1,969,853 of August 14, 1934 and a further description of this gearing is thus deemed unnecessary. The needles cylinder is also rotated by conventional means as shown in said patent.

The housing ll and tubular member l2 support a circular bed plate I! which provides a mounting for selector device operating means and may in turn support a second annular bed plate or cam plate It by means of posts 11 (Figure 2) and this cam plate It carries the usual needle controlling cams, cam-ring, picker mechanism, web-holder mechanism, weft guard ring, instrument dial, if. any, and yarn-feeding devices, not shown, which may be pertinent to the particular kind of hoisery or machine to which this invention may be applied. This cam plate I as well as bed plate It also support cam devices and other attachments which are the improved features of the present invention and which will be later enumerated and described in detail.

The knitting machine also has a conventionally driven needle cylinder 20, as by the means shown in said patent, and a sinker head 2| (Figure 1) and conventional sinkers 22 such as shown in Patent Number 1,467,691, one of which is shown in Figure 19, a portion of a continuous coiled spring 23 being shown in Figure 19 which normally urges the sinker 22 towards the needle cylinder 20. The sinker head 2| has the conventional sinker cap or ring 24 thereon and disposed thereabove is a conventional latch ring yarn feed fingers, a first, a second and a third of which are shown in Figures to 19, inclusive, and which are indicated at 26, 21 and 28, respectively. The latch ring 25 is provided with a throat gap 25a through which these yarn feed fingers 26, 21 and 28 extend. This gap is cut wider than normal at the side remote from the knitting point to accommodate the fingers 26 and 28, which are provided in addition to the yarn fingers usually carried by the latch ring. These yarn feed fingers 26, 21 and 28 usually carry body yarns, plating yarns, reinforcing yarns, and others, to the needles in a conventional manner. However, in the knitting of stockings, such as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the necessity of separate body yarns, plating yarns and reinforcing yarns is eliminated and, depending upon the number of colors that are to be included in the pattern of a stocking, there is merely a separate yarn feed finger for each color of yarn and all of theyarns serve as body yarns in the structure of the stocking. However, although not shown in the drawings, by the use or conaerator i ventional plating means, certain portions oi the fingers 26, 21 and 29 are adapted to be lowered 2! which is pivotally swung in the conventional manner and carries a plurality of conventional or raised selectively, the raising and lowering of the yarn feed fingers being controlled by conventional means, not shown, which usually comprise a main cam drum having cam means there.- on and since this cam drum and the intervening connections are well known and are not materially difierent from those in the usual types of Scott 8: Williams machine, they have been omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity. This control means for the yarn feed fingers 26, 21 and 22 is clearly shown in the patent to Page No. 1,627,337 of May 21, 1927, and'also the pa e to Scott .1 .850 of September 7, 1915.

It might be stated that although a Scott and Williams model HH Spiral machine is generally referred to in this specification, it is equally possible for the principles of this invention to be applied to various other machines wherein similar jacks and needles are used, it being evident to those skilled in the art that some modifications may be required if it is desired to apply such principles to another type of machine.

Referring to Figures 8 to 14, inclusive, the cylinder 20 has conventional latch needles work-v ing in the usual needle slots, beneath which are individual auxiliary or needle jacks 36. The needles 35 have butts 31 and are usually divided into long and short butt groups for the well known purpose of separating instep and heel needles during the knitting of a heel and toe.

Each of the auxiliary jacks also has a butt ll integral therewith, the purpose of which will be later described.

Disposed in alinement with each of the needles 35 and below each of the auxiliary Jacks 26 is a conventional cylinder selector jack or pattern jack broadly designated at ll. The auxiliary Jacks 36 and the selector jacks 4| are the same as those shown in the patent to Grothey, No. 2,411,422 of November 19, 1946. It will be noted that the needles 35 and the selector jacks 4| are retained in the slots of the needle cylinder 20 by conventional continuous coiled springs 42 and 43, respectively, which encircle the needle cylinder 20. It might be stated that the jacks II are bent laterally slightly so that when they are installed in the conventional grooves of the needle cylinder 20, the frictional contact between the jacks and the walls of the grooves in the needle cylinder 29 will cause the selector jacks 4| to remain in their inner or outer position, as the case may be and at the elevation to which they are directed by cams to be later described, after having moved out of engagement with the same.

Each of the selector jacks II has an outwardly projecting portion or butt at'its upper end and immediately below this portion 44 is a recessed portion 45 and below this recessed portion 45 is a plurality of butts which may be broken away for pattern purposes. These removable butts are divided into groups of upper butts 46 and lower butts 41, the upper and lower groups of butts extending in opposite directions from a point midway of all the butts. The purpose of dividing these butts into'upper and lower butts 44 and 41, respectivelyJs to be later described.

It will be noted in Figure 21 that every other one of the selector jacks has a butt 41a on itsmoving either the upper or lower end of the jacks 4| inwardly the opposite end of the jacks will be caused to move outwardly. The jacks 4] thus described are conventional in all respects and the lower ends of these jacks 4| are provided with staggered or stepped shoulders and 52 which are caused to engage or not to engage cams, to be presently described, according to the pattern arranged in the selector drum to be later described. The shoulders 5| and 52 and a portion 43 are used in a slightly different manner from that described in 'the said Patent No. 2,411,422. The portion 49 extends between the notches 5| and 52 of the jacks 4| and its function will be later described.

Mounted on the upper surface of the cam plate IS in the usual manner (Figure l) are conventional cams which are shown in the central portion of Figure 8 and which are instrumental in raising and lowering the needle jacks and the corresponding needles. The machine may comprise the usual stitch cams 53 and 54 with a conventional top center cam 55. In this instance, the top center cam 55 is modified to include an inverted V-shaped notch 55 in its lower portion to accommodate the butts 31 on certain selected needles 35 which may be elevated for picking up the yarn from the second of the yarn feed fingers 21. This inverted V- shaped notch 56in the cam 55 is an important feature and necessary to the operation of the improved apparatus.

Also disposed between the stitch cams 53 and 54 and immediately below the top center cam 55 (Figure 8) is a conventional bottom center cam 51 which, although it is shown in the configuration such as the surfaces 34, 55 and 34.

Disposed in cooperating engagement with the left-hand end of the left auxiliary side cam 5| in Figure 8 is a new cam 61 whose leading end conforms to and fits snugly against the trailing end of the cam 6|. Cam 61 has upwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces Ill and H on its lower edge which cooperate with the angularly extending surface 55 of the cam 5|. The lower surfaces-of the cams 60, 6| and 61 are arranged to permit the auxiliary jacks 33 to be raised by the corresponding selector jacks 4| in a manner to be later described and to then move the auxiliary jacks 36 downwardly which will, in turn, cause the corresponding selector jacks 4| to move downwardly prior to and during the knitting operation, as the needles 35, the auxiliary jacks 36 and the selector jacks 4| move from right to left as indicated by the arrow in Figure 8.

The paths followed by the needles 35, the needle jacks 36 and the selector jacks 4| are, of course,

drawings, is not used in this particular operation. A lowering cam 58 is disposed to the right of the top center cam in Figure 8 and is provided for engagement by the butts 31 on certain selected needles 35 to direct these needles downwardly prior to their engaging theright-hand surface of the cam 55 and in taking the yarn fromthe first of the yarn feed fingers 23. The lower ends of the needles 35 are slidably supported prior to their passing through the stitch cams 54 and 53, successively, by right auxiliary side cam 50 and left auxiliary side cam ii and these earns 50 and GI are conventional. The left auxiliary side'cam 6| has a lower horizontal surface 53 and an angular rising surface 64 and another lower horizontal surface 65 extending from the angular surface 54. Cam 6| also has an upwardly and angularly extending surface 53. These surfaces 63, 54, 55 and 56 are changes made in the configuration of this left auxiliary side cam 5| inasmuch as the lower surface of this cam normally extends a substantial distance downwardly, more than that shown in the drawings, and does not have the irregular initially determined by the patterning in the selectordrum, to be later described, as well as the arrangement of the upper and lower butts 46 and 41 on the selector jacks 4|.

It will be noted that immediately following the movement of the needles 35 past the stitch cam 53 in Figure 8, the butts 31 will engagea cam 13 to move the needles 35 upwardly. This completes the description of the cams which are arranged and fixedly mounted on the cam plate ii in the usual manner. It might be stated that the stitch cam 54 is, in this instance, moved radially out of contact with the butts 31 on the needles 35 during the knitting of a stocking while usingthis apparatus, with the exception that this cam 54 and other operating cams, not shown, are provided to cause the needles to be directed downwardly before passing through the stitch cams and related cams upon the knitting of a stocking being completed and preparatory to starting the knitting of another stocking.

Secured as by screws to the upper surface of the circular base l5 (Figure 2) is a first selector jack elevating cam 8|. This cam 8| is disposed below and in cooperating alinement in a vertical plane with the cams 6|) and iii in Figure 8 and is similar to a conventional cam which is usually mounted at this point, but the cam 8| differs from the conventional cam in that it is provided with a downwardly sloping surface 82 and a'horizontal upper surface 83, the left-hand end of which terminates at a point in substantial vertical alinement with a push-out cam 85 (Figure 8) which is disposed a substantial distance above the horizontal plane of the cam ill and immediately below the lower surface of the cam plate It and which will be later described in detail.

It might be stated that the distance from the downwardly sloping surface 82 to the corresponding surface on the lower portion of the cam 6| disposed thereabove and also the distance from the surface 33 on the cam 8| to the lower surface 53 of cam'ii is veryaccurate so as to equal the vertical height of the butts 38 on the auxiliary jacks 36 plus the distance from the shoulder 52 to the upper end of the selector jacks 4| for purand 33 on the cam 3| are cut at a slight angle 9 extending outwardly and downwardly relative to the needle cylinder 28, this angle conforming to the angle of the lower edges of the shoulders 8| and 82.

Upon the lower portion of the jack 4| being moved radially outward to the position shown in Figure 11, the shoulder 82 will, upon rotation of the needle cylinder 28, ride on the cam 8| and the portion 43 between the shoulders and 83 and will follow the path indicated at 38 in Figure 8. This will cause the butt 38 and the corresponding auxiliary jack 38 to follow the path indicated at 8| in Figure 8 and will also cause the butt 81 of the corresponding needle 88 to follow the path indicated at 82 in Figure 8. When the butt 81 of the latch needle 38 follows the path 88 in Figure 8 the upper end of the needle 38 will follow the path indicated by the dot-dash line 83 in Figure 8 which will position the needle 38 for picking up both of the yarns 3| and 32 from the yarn fingers 28 and 21 respectively.

Now, when the lower ends of the selector jacks 4| are moved to the intermediate position shown in Figure through the medium of the pattern drum, to be later described, and the butts 48 and 41 on the jacks 4|, as will be later described, the shoulder 5| will engage the cam 8|, at its righthand portion in Figure 8, and will be caused to move upwardly as a result of which the portion 48 between the shoulders 5| and 58 -will move along thepath indicated at 84 in Figure 8. It will be noted that the paths 88 and 84 are merged, as at 98, into a single path which is the path in a horizontal radial plane that the portion 48 between the shoulders 5| and 52 will follow after the jacks 4| have been elevated to their highest position by the cam 8|. Now, the butts 38 on the corresponding auxiliary jacks 38 will also be caused to move along a path 88 when the shoulder II is in engagement with the elevating cam 8| and the paths BI and 38 of butts 38 merge into a single path 81, which the butts 38 of the Jacks 38 follow after having moved up the paths 3| and 88. The butts 38 are then engaged by the righthand angular surface of the left auxiliary side cam 6|. The left auxiliary side cam 8| and the lower jack elevating cam 8| are spaced an accurate distance apart from each other corresponding to the vertical width of the butts 38 on the jacks 36 plus the distance from the upper end of the jacks 4| to the lower edge of the shoulder 52 as heretofore stated, thus causing the portion 48 between the shoulders 5| and 52 to follow the path 85 in Figure 8. v

- Now, in the first instance, that is; when the cam 8| is in engagement with the lower shoulder 82 of the selector jacks 4|, the lower surface of the shoulder 52 will remain in engagement with the angular surface 82 and the horizontal surface 83, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 28. However, in the second instance, that is; when the shoulder 5| is in engagement with the cam 8| as the jacks 4| are elevated, these particular jacks are moved downwardly to follow the same path as the jacks that had been raised by the shoulder 52 engaging the cam 8| and due to the corresponding beveled or angular surfaces on the shoulder 52 and the surfaces 82 and 83 radially of the needle circle, the shoulder 52 will be prevented from engaging the surfaces 82 and 83 and will, instead, engage the inner surface of the cam 8| as the portion 49 disposed between the shoulders 5| and 52 moves along the path 35 as shown in solid lines in Figure 28. v v

The reason for the length of the selector jacks 4| from their upper ends to the lower surface of the shoulder 82 plus the vertical width of the corresponding butts 88 on the needle jacks 88 being held to an accurate tolerance is to prevent the lower ends of certain selected jacks 4| from being moved outwardly as they are being moved downwardly by the butts 88 on the auxiliary jacks 88 engaging the lower angular surface at the right-hand side of the left auxiliary side cam 3| in Figure 8 when the lacks 4| are in the solid line position in Figure 28. The reason that the portion 83 is provided integral with the cam 8| is to insure that the lower ends of the lacks 4| will not be urged outwardly upon the butts 38 of the corresponding jacks 38 moving into engagement with the lower surface 68 of the cam 8| as they move from right to left in Figure 8. The reason that these jacks 4| may be urged outwardly at their lower ends, in the event that the portion 48 does not engage the inner surface of the cam 8|, in the manner stated and as shown in Figure 28, as they are being moved downwardlyby the corresponding needle jacks 38, is the extra pressure of the lower ends of the sin:- iliary Jacks 88 against the upper ends of selector jacks 4| may have a tendency to move the upper ends of the jacks inwardly, which would, of course, project the lower ends outwardly and would thus move them out of position for being properly alined for the next succeeding cam "I. When the lower portions of the selector Jacks 4|v are in their innermost positions, or in the position shown in Figure 9, the portion 48 between the shoulders BI and 82 will be caused to'move along the path indicated at 188 in Figure 8 and will not engage the cam 8| at all due to the cam 8| being spaced far enough away from themriphery of the, needle cylinder 28 as to be'out of the path of the inwardly moved lower end of such jacks 4|. H

After the jacks 4| have moved from right to left in Figure 8 beyond the cam 8| they are caused to engage a new elevating cam |8|. Referring to Figure 2 it may be observed that this new elevating cam "I is secured, as by screws, I82 to the circular base plate IS. The cam ill in Figure 8 has a lower elevating surface I82a, an intermediate horizontal surface I83 andan upper elevating surface I84. This will cause the jacks 4| to be moved upwardly an amount equal to the vertical height of inclined surface |82a and some of the jacks 4| will then be moved upwardly by inclined surface |84 according to the desired pattern. The cam 8| is also provided with a downwardly inclined lowering surface III which is beveled inwardly (Figure 27) to thus permit the jacks 4| to be pushed inwardly by the auxiliary jacks 36 as they are moved downwardly in engagement with the surface 1| of the new cam 81. The surface I85 of the cam 8| is beveled inwardly so the cam |8| may be adjusted back and forth as desired and so the surfaces I82a, I83 and I84 may be properly alined in a vertical plane with the surfaces I8 and H of the new cam 81 and the surfaces 64, 65 and 86 of theleft auxiliary side cam 8| without defeating the purpose of the surface I85, which is to assist in supporting the lower ends of the selector jacks 4| and to project them inwardly to aline them with succeeding cams, not shown. This completes the description of the cams mounted on the circular base l8.

Now, as herebefote stated, upon the lower ends of the jacks 4| being moved to their outermost position as shown in Figure 11 the shoulder I2 will ride up the elevating cam II and the ortion 43 between the shoulders and 52 will follow the path indicated at 30 in Figure 8 thus esulting in the butts 38 of the corresponding auxiliary jacks 35 following the path 3| and the butts 31 and the upper ends of the needles 35 following the paths indicated at 92 and 33 in Figure 8. Now, upon the lower ends of the jacks being moved to the intermediate position shown in Figure the shoulder 5| will be caused to engage the cam ll andwill be elevated by the same and in so doing the portion 43 will follow the path indicated at 34 as heretofore stated. In so doing,

the butts 33 of the corresponding aux liary jacks 35 will follow the path indicated at 55 while the butts 31 of the needle 35 will follow a path indi-' cated at I01 in Figure 8 and while the upper ends of the needles will follow a path indicated by the dash-dot line I33.

When the lower portion of a jack 4| is in its innermost position as shown in Figure 9 the portion 43 between the shoulders 5| and 52 will follow the path indicated at I30 in Figure 8 thus causing the butts 33 of the corresponding jacks 35 to follow a path indicated at III in Figure 8. However, the butts 31 on the corresponding needles will follow a path indicated at "2, inasmuch as these particular needles are partially elevated at the time they are moved into vertical alinement with the cam 8|. Thus the upper ends of the needles will be caused to move along a path indicated by the dot-dash line I I3. when either of the shoulders 5| or 52 are engaged by the cam 3|, that is, when the lower ends of the jacks II are positioned in either the the outermost or intermediate positions shown i'n'Figures 11 and 10 respectively, the narrow portions 45 of the jacks ll will pass adjacent the cam 85 and thus the upper portions 43 of the jacks 4| will not be engaged by the push-out cam 85 and therefore the lower ends of the jacks 4| will retain their original positions radially of the needle cylinder 20.

Now, in the instance of the shoulder 52 having engaged the cam 8|, as shown in Figure 11, when the jack 4| has moved to where the shoulder 52 will engage the elevating surface ||l2a of the cam "I, as shown in Figure 14, the portion 43 between the shoulders 5| and 52 will follow a path indicated at Ma which corresponds to the path 3|! that this same portion follows in being elevated on the cam 8|. On the other hand, after the shoulder 5| of a jack 4| has moved out of engagement with the cam 3|, or from the position shown in Figure 10, and the jacks have moved to where the shoulder 5| will engage the elevating surface "211 of the cam II, as shown in Figure 13, the portion 43 between the shoulders 5| and 52 will follow a path indicated at 93a in Figure 8 and this path 94a corresponds to the path 34 that this same portion had previously followed in being elevated by the cam 3| When the lower portion of a jack 4| is in its innermost position as shown in Figure 9, resulting in the same moving along theqaath indicated at "III in Figure 8, and immediately after it has passed by the cam 3| in its movement from right to left in Figure 8, the lower portion of the jack 4| will then be projected outwardly ini asmuch as the widened or outwardly projecting portions 44 of this particular jack will be engaged by the push-out cam 35 inasmuch as these particular jacks 4| will not have been raised sunlciently to permit the portion 44 to pass thereby without being engaged by the push-out cam the cam |3|, in the manner shown in Figure 12,

as the jack 4| moves from right to left in Figure 8 thereby causing the same to move upwardly along the same path 90a that others of the jacks have formerly been stated as having followed. 'The paths 90a and 94a, followed by the portion 43 of the selector jacks 4|, merge into a single path H0 along which the portion It follows after the jacks have been elevated by the cam llll and in which attitude they remain until they are again selected by the patterning means to be later described.

It is manifest that when the jacks 4| are raised by the shoulders 5| and 52 engaging the cam IOI,

'the butts 38 of the corresponding auxiliary jacks the corresponding jacks 4| when neither of the shoulders 5| and 52 have previously been in engagement with the cam 8|. In this instance, the butts 33 of the auxiliary jacks '36 will follow the same path H5 previously followed by the butts 33 on the auxiliary jacks 35 because the shoulder 52 again engages the elevating cam llil, as shown in Figure 12.

It may be observed in Figure 8 that when the butts 31 of the needles 35 are caused to move along the path H" by the shoulder 5| of the corresponding selector jacks engaging the cam 3|, the upper ends of the needles 35 are caused to move along the path I08 in Figure 8 and these butts 3'| engage the right-hand surface of the top center cam 55 and the needles 35 are thus moved downwardly, simultaneously picking up the yarn 3| from the first of the yarn feed fingers Inasmuch as the shoulder 5| is caused to engage the cam IN, the corresponding selecting jacks II and the corresponding auxiliary jacks 36 are not raised sufllciently to move the corresponding needles 35 upwardly into the inverted V-shaped notch 56 after having been moved downwardly and, consequently, the butts 31 remain at the same elevation after having been moved downwardly by the cam 55 until they ongage the left-hand surface of the inverted V- shaped notch 55 in the cam 55, at which time they are caused to move downwardly after which they are engaged by the stitch cam 53 and directed downwardly against the left-hand side cam 13 which again raises these needles 35 to a position where they are engaged by other cam means, not shown, for again directing them to when neither of the shoulders or 52 is caused to engage the cam 3I. It may be noted in Figure 8 that, in this instance, the butts 31 of the needles 35 will travel in a horizontal plane until they have moved adjacent the juncture of the inverted V-shaped notch 56 and the right-hand surface of the cam 55. Now, at this time the corresponding selector jacks M will have been moved outwardly at their lower ends by the push-out cam 35 as heretofore described, thus resulting in the shoulder 52 engaging the cam II" to thus elevate the selector jacks H and the corresponding auxiliary jacks 35, as a result of which the upper ends of the auxiliary jacks .33 will engage the lower ends of the needles 35 thus moving them upwardly to where they will pick up the yarn 32 from the second of the yarn feed fingers 21. However, the needles 35 will-have passed by the first of the feed fingers 26 without picking up the yarn 3| therefrom.

The butts 38 of the jacks 36 will then engage the lower angular surface H on the new cam 51 as heretofore stated and will cause the corresponding selector jacks H to move downwardly and simultaneously corresponding needles 35 will have picked up the yarn 32 from the second of the yarn feed fingers, and their butts 31 will engage the left-hand surface of the inverted V- shaped notch 56 and wfll thus be urged downwardly to follow the same path heretofore stated for the butts 31 which had-previously followed the path I01.

Now, when the butts 31 are caused to move along the path 92 by virtue of the shoulder 52.

having engaged the cam 3| to be elevated by the same, the upper end of the corresponding needles 35 will follow the path 33 and it is thus seen that these needles will be directed downwardly by the cam 58 so that the paths 32 and 33 of the butts 31 and the upper ends of these needles, respectively, will merge into the paths I31 and I33, respectively. Consequently, these latter needles will pick up the yarn 3i from the first yarn feed finger 26 and will again be caused to move downwardly by the butts 31 engaging the right-hand surface of the top center cam 55.

In this instance, the shoulder 52 will again engage the cam IOI thus raising the jacks 4I and the corresponding auxiliary jacks 33 to thereby cause the butts 31 of the corresponding needles 35 to move upwardly into the inverted v-shaped notch 56 in the cam 55 and, in so doing, will cause the hooks of the needles -35 to take the yarn from the second yarn feed finger 21 in the manner heretofore described, and then the needles 35 will be caused to follow along the path followed by the previous needles to where yarns 3| and 32 will be knitted into the stocking by the stitch cam 53. It might be here stated that in the instance of forming a pattern such as that shown in Figure 23, only two needles in each course would knit simultaneously at each edgeof the diamond and a maximum of eight needles would knit simultaneously with two yarns as in the latter case in the event of there being portions of four diamonds around the stocking in the same horizontal plane as shown in Figure 23.

It has already been stated how the cam'member 85 pushes the upper portions of the selector jacks 4I inwardly thus causing the lower portions to move outwardly. Now, there is provided a cam member I 49 (Figure 2) which is provided to restrict the outward movement of the lower portion '14 of the selector jacks 4| as they are urged outwardly by the spring 43 and cam 35. This cam member I43 is secured, as by screws I5l, to the circular base member II. The cam I43 is pro-' vided to insure that thelower end of the selecter jacks M will be properly alined for engagement with the elevator cam I3I in the manner heretofore stated.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 8 it may be observed that the push-out cam 35 is secured. as by screws I23, to hell crank I2I osciliatably mounted as at I23 on the lower surface of the cam plate I3. This bell crank I2I has secured to the end remote from the cam 35, as by screws I24, an arm I25 which extends outwardly and is pivotally connected as at I23 to a link I21 pivotally connected at its other end, as at I33, to the upper end of a bell crank I3I osciliatably mounted, as at I32, on a bracket I33 secured, as by screws I34, tothe lower surface of the cam plate I3.

A vertically disposed connecting rod I33 is pivotally connected, as at I35, to the lower free end of the bell crank I3I and extends downwardly and at its lower end itis 'pivotaily connected, as at I31 (Figure 5), to an actuating lever I43, the left-hand end of which in Figure 5 is oscillatabiy mounted on a stud I4I projecting from a bracket I42 secured, as by a screw I43. to the frame I3 (Figure 1). This actuating lever I43 has a projeetion I45 extending upwardly therefrom which is adapted to engage the periphery of a cam wheel I43 having spaced recesses I41 and I43 therein between which a raised portion I53 is disposed, the radius of the raised portion I53 being the same as the main portion of the cam I43 with the exception of the notches or recesses I41 and I43. The projection I45 of the actuating lever I43 is normally urged against the periphery of the cam wheel I43 by a tension spring I52 (Figures 1 and 2) which is connected at the junction point of the arm I25 and thelink I21, thus normally urging the bell crank I2I (Figure 2) in a, counterclockwise direction.

In order to limit the inward movement of the cam 35, an angle plate I54 is secured, as by screws I54a, to the edge of the cam plate I3 (Figure 2) and an adjustment screw I55 is threadably mounted in the angle plate I54 and engages the arm I25, there being a lock nut I55 threadably mounted on the screw I55 to secure the adjustment screw I55 in adjusted position.

The cam wheel I45 is fixedly mounted on a shaft I53 extending from and driven by the gearing disposed within the housing II and being driven in timed relation to the rotation or oscillation of the needle cylinder 23. In a cycle of the operation of this cam wheel I45, the projection I45 of the actuating lever I43 rides against the main portion of the cam wheel I43 during the knitting of the welt and then the cam wheel I43 rotates to where the projection I45 moves into the recess I41 during the knitting of the leg portion of a hose and then engages the raised portion I53 during the knitting ofthe heel.

The cam follower or projection I45 then engages the recessed portion I43 during the knitting of the instep and then engages the main peripheral portion of the cam wheel I45 during the knitting of the foot and toe portions of a stocking and during the changing from one stock-ing to another. When the projection I45 is in engagement with the recessed portions I41 and I43 the raised portion I" andthe main portion or:

thecam wheel III having the same radius as the cam portion III.

It might be stated means for operating the a model PW Scott and that the cam II and the ssmeareausualpartoi 'williams machine and are applicable to the model Hi1 machine without modifying the same. I

I Selector mechanism The selection of the jacks II tor the operation auam I the'recessed portions in and up during the.

knitting or the-leg and instep portions, respectively, oil .a stocking and engages the raised portion III dmfm theknltting or the heel. v

The intermediate a'rcuate portion III on the cam wheel III in-Figure t isproyided to cause the'idleriplate "I to assume'the'positionshown in Figure'3 during the knitting d'the toe par- 'tions of the stocking prior to going into knitting o! the weltot the next stocking. It may be soon in Figure 4 that the cam-wheel III. also has a raised portion III which, isoi the same radius as the portion III and during the knitting oi the;

o! the needles is accomplished as in Patent Num-' her 1,906,204, by means oi. a trick wheel III or 2) which is provided with a plurality of spaced selector bits arranged around the periphery of the trick wheel III (Figures 20 and 22) and being held in engagement therewith .II2 surrounding the trick wheel I". Each of the selector bits III is divided at its outer edge into upper and lower butts It; and III, respectively, these butts being disposed below the coiled spring I62 and there being an additional-removable butt I65 disposed above the coiled spring II2. The selector drum or trick wheel I has a ratchet wheel I fixed'to its lower end, the same having long teeth I'II around its periphery, there being two shorter teeth I12 in Figure 3 adjacent pattern drum (Figure by a continuous coiled spring 7 each other atone point around the periphery or the ratchet wheel I'll for the purposevoi properly alining the butts I53 and III-on the pattern drum. I60 with selector fingers 200 and- 2Ii, to be later described, after knitti'ng'one pattern preparatory to knitting another pattern.

The selector drum or trick wheel III is mounted for rotation on the usual selector drum post Ill and is racked around the post ill by virtue of a conventional pawl I15 reciprocated in the usual' manner, and being normally urged irom right to left in Figures 1 and 2 by a tension spring I18. Thi racking mechanism is substantially as shown in the patent to F. R. Page, Number 2,005,632 of June 18, 1935. Oscillatably mounted on the post I'll and disposed beneath the ratchet wheel I'll is an idling plate I10 which, during the operation of the selector drum III, is disposed in Figure 2. Pivotally connected to the plate I18 as at I11 (Figures 1 and 2) is a link I80 which is pivotally connected as at III (Figures 1 and 2) to the upper end of shell crank I82. The bell crank I82 is oscillatably mounted as at III on a bracket Illa extending outwardly from the base plate I5 in Figure 2 and has pivotally connected to the free end thereof, as at I85, the upper end of a connecting rod I84.

"I'hiS connecting rod I extends downwardly and is connected, as at IN, to an actuating lever III (Figure 4) which is also oscillatably mounted on the stud I, there being a spacer ISI between the actuating levers I40 and I90 so the actuating lever I40 may be disposed in the same vertical plane as the cam wheel I and the actuating leverIII may be disposed in the same vertical plane as a cam wheel III. The actuating lever III! has a projection I84 extending upwardly therefrom which is adapted to engage the periphery oi the cam wheel I93, the cam wheel III being provided with spaced recesses II! and III and a raised portion III and an intermediate arcuate portion III. The projection. III engages welt and the heel, the idler plate I1 is thin moved a substantial distance ifurther to the right than that shown'in Figure 3 to cause the pawl III to be moved entirely outroi engagement with any of the -t'eetlrI-II in the ratchet wheel "I.

It is thusseen that the selector drum or trick wheel III is rendered inoperative at all times with the exception or during the knitting or the leg and instep portions or astocking, when the short teeth "2 are alined 'ior engagement by the ratchet pawl I'II, inasmuch as the idler plate "I will prevent the ratchet pawl I" from engaging the short teeth I12 until the idler plate I" is moved by the cam III from the position shown in'Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 2. 'It will be notedthat the cam wheel III is fixedly mounted on the shaft I53 adjacent the cam wheel I and in spaced relation thereto and the receased portions III and I98 coincide with the recessed portions I41 and I48 in the cam wheel III thus'rendering the trick wheel I00 inoperative simultaneously with the cam 85 being rendered inoperative during the knitting of the end,

the dotted line position shown in heel and toe and changing from one stocking to another.

Now referring to Figures 2, 6 and 7, there may be observed a plurality of conventional selector fingers or reader cams, there being a plurality oi upper reader cams 200 and a plurality of lower reader cams 2II. These selector fingers or cams 2" and 20I are identical, the upper selector fingers or cams 200 being disposed in coinciding relation to the upper butts I63 on the selector bits Iii in Figure 22 and the lower selector fingers or cams 20I being disposed in coinciding relation to the lower butts I on the selector bits III. The selector fingers or cams are oscillatably mounted-on' a vertical post 204 (Figure 2) and each 0! the selector cams 200 and 2M has a tail III 7 adapted to read its own particular level of the butts I63 and It! on the selector drum or trick wheel I60. Where the butts I63 or I54 have been broken of! the bits iii of the selector drum III,

. the tall 205 engages the surface of the trick wheel or selector drum I60 by virtue of a tension spring 2 on one end of each of the selector fingers. Each of the selector fingers 200 and I has spaced ears 2"! and 2H integral therewith and disposed at their right-hand ends in Figures 2 and 7 and these ears 2I0 and 2H straddle a conventional selector finger stop 2i2 adjustably mounted in the usual manner on the circular bed plate I5.

It will be noted in Figures 6 and 7 that the selector finger stop 2I2 has an angle plate 2II secured thereto, as by screws 2 I I, this angle plate 2II being a usual part of a Model PW Scott in Williams circular knitting machine and hem! adaptable to the present invention. when the tails 205 on theuppcr selector fingers 20c and III are engaged by any one of the butts It! or I on the selector bits III, the selector fingers III and 26| assume the position shown in Flame 2. that is, with the ears 2|6 in engagement with .no stop 2 I 2. p Y

on the other hand, when there is no butt I66 8 81118 the tails 266 on the upper selector fingers 266, the associated ear 2 is urged against the stop 2|2 to thus move the lower ends of any of the selector lacks 4| having coinciding butts 46 thereon inwardlyrelative to the needle cylinder 26 to the innermost position as shown in Figure 9, the relative positions of each of the fingers 266 and 26| being shown in dotted lines. which will result in the yarn 62 being picked up from the second finger 21 in the manner here toiore described. In the event that the tall 266 of any of the lower selector fingers 26| is not engaged by one of the lower butts I64 on the selector drum I66, the ear 2 of the lower. se-

lector finger 26| is also urged inwardly against the outer surface of the angle plate 2|6 as shown in Figure 7 and the lower fingers 26| do not move inwardly as far as the upper fingers 266.

Now, assuming that there is a butt 46 as wellas a butt 4! on one of the jacks 4| and'there is a corresponding upper butt I66 on the selector drum I66 while a butt I64 corresponding to the butt 4'! on the jack 4| is broken oflf, then the upper corresponding selector finger 266 will be moved outwardly at its right-hand end in Figures 1 and '7 so it will not engage the corresponding butt 46 on the selector jack 4|. Thus the free ends of the fingers 266 will assume the dotted line position in Figure 10. Now, assuming there is not any lower butt I64 on the selector drum I66, the spring 266 will urge the ear 2 of the lower selector finger 26| inwardly to the position shown in Figure '7 and, there being a corresponding butt to the circular bed plate II. A suitable link 22! connects the lever 22| to conventional mechanism controlled by and operated in accordance with the fabric or other requirements of the fabric knit. a

In order to insure engagement of the lacks by the selector fingers 266 and 26|, in the manner heretofore stated, there is placed in advance of the selector fingers a cam member 226 which is conventional and is clearly shown in- Patent Number 2,050,946 of August 11, 1936. The cam member 226 is pivotally mounted, in a conventional manner, on the upper portion of the post 264 in a position to engage the projection 44 on 41 on the lower portion of the selector Jack 46,

the lower end of the selector jack 4| will be moved inwardly to the intermediate position shown in Figure 10. The relative positions of the free ends of the selector fingers. 266 and 26| are shown in dotted lines in Figure 10. It might be stated that the lower ends of the selector jacks are all in their outermost positions, as shown in Figure '11, prior to their moving past the working ends of the selector fingers 266 and MI and are thus in position for being moved inwardly or, in the event that both the lower and upper selector fingers 266 and 26| are engaged by corresponding butts I63 and I64 on the selector drum I66, the fingers 266 and 26| will assume the dotted line position in Figure 11 and the selector jacks 4| will remain in the position shown in Figure 11 to ride up the cam 6| in the manner heretofore stated, although these may be coinciding butts 46 and 41 on the jacks 4|.

In some instances, although there may be corresponding butts 46 or 41 on the selector jacks 4|, if there are corresponding butts I66 and I64 on the selector drum I66, the corresponding selector fingers 266 and 26| would not engage these corresponding butts 46 and 41 on the selector jack 4|, and, consequently, these selector jacks 4| would still remain in the outermost position shown in Figure 11 after having passed by the working ends of the selector fingers 266 and 26I.

The selector fingers 266 and 26| (Figure 2) are arranged to be held in inactive or inoperative position, in which they are notoperated in accordance with the patterning of the trick wheel or selector drum I66 by means of a conventional contact 226 (Figure 2) of sumcient width to span all of the selector fingers 266 and 26| carried by the cylinder selector Jacks 4| as shown in said patent to move the upper portions of said Jacks inwardly and the lower portions outwardly, rocking the jacks 4| on the pivot point 66, to substantially the position shown in Figure 11.

The cam member 226 is provided with a conventional operating arm 226 which is operated by conventional intervening connections, not shown, extending from the main pattern drum. not shown. 7

Although the present invention does not include the push-out cam 66 and the cam 226, it is believed that a summary of their function will provide for a clearer understanding of the present invention. The cam 66 engages the upper portions 44 of the selector jacks 4| which have not been raised by the first cam 6| whereas the selector jacks 4| which have been raised by the first cam 6| are raised high enough so that the push-out cam 66 does not engage their upper ends to thus move their lower ends outwardly. The selector jacks 4| raised by the second cam I6| are then, further on the revolution of the cylinder 26, engaged by the cam 226 (Figure 2) at their upper ends to move their lower ends to outermost position. It is to be noted that the cam 85 is withdrawn from the path of the upper ends of the selector jacks 4| at all times when a pattern is not being knitted by the herein described method and apparatus. During the knitting of the body portion of the stocking both of the cams 86 and 226-ride against or closely adjacent the periphery of the needle cylinder 26.

During the knitting of the heel pocket both of the cams 65 and 226 are moved out of engagement with the upper portions of the selector Jacks 4| so that the lower ends of the jacks 4| will remain in the position shown in Figure 9 and thus will not be affected by the patterning on the pattern drum I66. It is to be understood that during the knitting of the heel pocket, the needle cylinder reclprocates as a result of which neither of the earns 65 and 226, nor the selector fingers 266 and 26I, could act satisfactorily on the jacks 4|, the selector fingers 266 and 26I being rendered inactive due to the action of contact 226 in Figure 2, as heretofore described.

During the knitting of the instep pattern portion of the hose the cams 65 and 226 are in the same position in which they repose during the knitting of the body portion of the hose, that is, they are both in engagement with or closely adjacent the periphery of the needle cylinder 26 during the knitting of the instep portion of the hose.

In order to stop the patterning at any time during the knitting of a stocking, such as in that portion of the stocking disposed between the instep and the toe ofthe stocking, the cam member 66 reposes against the periphery of the needle a lever 2 2| plvotally mounted on a post 222 fixed 76 cylinder 26 and conventional means, not shown, 

